Reproductive and oncologic outcome following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical trachelectomy for early stage cervical cancer

• A high fertility rate of 81% was seen following robotic radical trachelectomy.
• Robotic radical trachelectomy was associated with a low rate of preterm deliveries.
• Cancer recurrence after robotic radical trachelectomy equals alternative techniques.

ObjectiveTo investigate the reproductive and oncologic outcome following robotic radical trachelectomy for early stage cervical cancer.MethodsAll women with early stage cervical cancer planned for fertility-sparing robotic trachelectomy between December 2007 and April 2015 at two tertiary referral centers in Sweden were identified. Perioperative- and follow-up data was retrieved from prospective databases used for all robotic procedures at the respective institution and an additional review of computerized patient files was performed. Reproductive outcome evaluation was restricted to women with ≥ 12 months follow-up and an active wish to conceive. Oncological outcome was evaluated for all patients.ResultsFifty-six women (3 stage IA1, 14 stage IA2 and 39 stage IB1) were included. The median age was 29 years (range 23–41). Median follow-up was 24 months (range 1–89). Seven trachelectomies were aborted in favor of a radical hysterectomy and/or chemoradiation due to nodal metastases or insufficient margins; two distant recurrences occurred in these women. A local recurrence was seen in two of the 49 women (4%) in whom the procedure was completed as planned. Seventeen of the 21 women (81%) in the reproductive follow-up group conceived - 16 naturally and one following IVF. Sixteen women (94%) delivered in the third trimester, 12 women (71%) in gestational week ≥ 36. One (6%) second trimester delivery occurred.ConclusionThe high fertility rate, low rate of premature deliveries and an acceptable rate of recurrence support the feasibility of robotic fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy in women with early stage cervical cancer.